How Master’s study can lead you to your future career

Sometimes, life isn’t as straightforward as going to school, university and then securing a graduate job. Our postgraduate community is made up of people from a range of backgrounds who have pursued postgraduate study at different stages of life. Master’s study at BCU has helped them achieve their career goals.

Jill Arriordaz

Real Estate Management (MSc)

Jill was a student at BCU before starting her family and having a career in the public sector. Recovering from an accident and raising her young children made Jill realise it was time to do something for herself. With a passion for property, Jill decided to return to BCU to further her career in real estate.

After excelling on the course, and gaining useful contacts, Jill had the confidence to become a self-employed property specialist, alongside her ongoing research into empty homes across the UK.

Read Jill's story

Matthew Hill

Fine Art (MA)

After completing both a BA and Masters in Fine Art, as well as a PGCE in Further Education, Matthew went into teaching. But after showcasing his digital art skills online, Matthew was offered the opportunity to work in the film industry, landing his big break as a Concept Modeller on The Batman, before moving to Paramount Pictures to work as a Concept Artist on the two latest Mission: Impossible movies.

Matthew’s time at BCU provided him with the time to learn a skill set that has been useful in both his teaching and film career.

Read Matthew's story

Postgraduate Open Days

Join us for an on-campus Open Day where you'll be able to learn about our postgraduate courses in detail, explore our campus and chat with current postgraduate students.

Elvinah Xhignesse  

Media Production (MA)

Elvinah completed her undergraduate degree at BCU but still wasn’t sure what her next steps were or what career path to follow. She applied for a Master’s in Media Production, hoping that an extra year’s study would give her time to decide and find out if working in the TV industry was for her.

Elvinah’s Master’s gave her the expertise and experience to get a job on The Great British Bake Off after graduation. Since then, she’s worked on All That Glitters, 24 Hours in A&E and other big TV shows.

Read Elvinah’s story

Jiney Ang

International Business (BA)

Jiney studied her undergraduate degree in the UK before returning to Malaysia to work. She quickly realised that she loved the lifestyle and work culture in the UK. She decided to apply to an MBA at BCU.

Jiney’s tutors gave her the confidence to apply to different jobs in the UK and her personal tutor helped her prepare to enter the workplace. With new skills and experience gained from her time at BCU, Jiney has so far excelled in her career, now working her way up the ladder at KPMG, with the hope of one day reaching a management position.

Read Jiney's story

Ben Goodwin  

Broadcast Journalism – PGDip

Whilst studying his undergraduate degree in History, Ben worked on a student radio station and realised that he wanted to go into broadcast journalism. Ben started working in radio, but felt he needed the academic background and expertise from industry professionals to enable him to progress further.

Studying Broadcast Journalism at BCU has given Ben a wider understanding of the different areas of industry and the variety of job opportunities in different sectors. Ben now works as a communications manager at HS2 – Europe’s largest infrastructure project.

Read Ben's story

What should you do next?

Come to a Postgraduate Open Event

Our campuses have a real buzz about them, at our Open Events, you’ll have the chance to experience it for yourself. See where you could be attending lectures, getting on with independent study and meeting fellow postgrads for a coffee.

Register for the next Open Event

Download our postgraduate guide

Our Postgraduate Guide provides details of all our postgraduate taught and research courses. It also provides information about the research environment at Birmingham City University

Download the guide

Apply for a course

So, you’re interested in applying for postgraduate study? Here’s a step-by-step guide covering all you need to know to apply. Unlike undergraduate degrees where you will apply via UCAS, you can apply straight to the University for a postgraduate degree.

Find out how to apply

Get advice on your personal statement

Not sure what's required of you in a postgraduate personal statement? Don't worry, our guide has top tips, examples from real students and all the guidance you'll need.

Download the guide